More about Littlehampton | Little Ship Club

Eastward Ho to Littlehampton was one of last year's most enjoyable rallies. Littlehampton is, according to its harbour master, 'the best kept secret on the south coast'. Less secret now to Little Ship Club members, but delightful all the same.

This year's rally is intended to be a jumping off point for the Normandy Rally - you can join the Commodore before crossing to Fecamp, more details here. Littlehampton Harbour There's been a port at Littlehampton since Roman times and now the family-friendly town is being transformed into a delightful sailing destination.

What you'll find in Littlehampton
Littlehampton is home to Hillyards, those famously sea-kindly boats. Sadly, since early 2009, after over 90 years in business, David Hillyard Ltd are no longer building and repairing yachts and have ceased trading - but the yard itself is still there and several Hillyards are still to be seen. The Hillyard Owners Association website includes a mass of tempting news of boats for sale.
If you fancy a different kind of water-borne transport, you could arrange to call in on Dutton's amphijeeps, who last year celebrated 20 years of amphibious car production. Full information from their website http:www.amphijeep.biz.
And Eastward Ho if you find yourself short of some vital gizmo, give chandler Peter Davis a ring - he's over the bridge on the west bank, behind the old Hillyard's, and says he can get pretty well anything to anyone, anywhere. The shop is open most times, most days except Sunday.

NB that Littlehampton has its own railway station a few minutes' walk from the Harbour, so there's scope for crew to join or swop over.

You can read all about last year's successful rally here.

Getting there
Eastward Ho!
Nab Tower-Littlehampton is 19NM

For the Eastward Ho! fleet, there’s the iconic mark of Selsey Bill to round (well known from the inshore waters forecast), and plenty of good sailing, including the Looe Channel just off the Bill if conditions permit. Though the Bill itself sort-of just fades into the sea, the Looe Channel is certainly as interestingly narrow as it looks on the chart. The trusty Shell Channel Pilot advises: 'In clear weather and moderate winds the Looe channel, marked by buoys, affords a short cut with the aid of a large-scale chart.' (If it really all goes wrong, Selsey Bill has its own lifeboat station.)

Westward Ho!

Distances to Littlehampton from: Shoreham 13NM; Brighton 17NM; Newhaven: 24NM; Eastbourne 34NM.

So you've made it to the Harbour entrance ...
The level of Littlehampton Bar is 0.8m above chart datum. HW times (BST) at the harbour entrance are +/- 10 mins on Shoreham

For information on navigating the harbour entrance, click here to connect to the harbour board website page. Take heart from the fact that, if all else fails, Littlehampton too has its own Lifeboat station!

Other things to do

Take the ferry across to West Beach and enjoy the 7km walk around what this leaflet describes as an 'area of great natural beauty and very special wildlife'. You could call in at the West Beach Cafe for an ice cream.

If you have children on board, join in the Variety Club Day in the Harbour Park on the East bank of the river, close to the pontoon - or otherwise enjoy the East beach and the architectural award-winning café there.

Staying on
If you stayon rather than go on to Normandy you could enjoy a trip as far as 20 miles up the Arun - full details here from the Harbour Master, who says, 'Mariners attempting this passage will find it most rewarding in that there is an abundance of flora and fauna to observe.'

Or why not try Littlehampton's famous sea-fishing, especially off Kingsmere Rocks about five miles offshore. Whiting, bass and bream are just some of the fish that inspired Littlehampton's novel recipe book, which you'll find at intervals along the harbour walk.